"There's not just an economic depression on, there's a racial depression, too," said Loong, an ethnic Chinese and a Christian.
"We're a harmonious country, but we should do more through music. You hear the blues and before you know it you're dancing with the person next to you."
Racial tension flared in Singapore in January when the government barred Malay Muslim schoolgirls, who wanted to wear headscarves to class, under school uniform rules that stress conformity.
"The blues is about deep yearning for something you want and it doesn't have to be boxed up in Christianity like gospel music," said Loong, rhythm guitarist with the UBlues Band. "There are Malays and Hindus here who will appreciate that."
The UBlues Band, along with Smokey Ng from Singapore, Farid Ali from Malaysia, Blues Shaddy and Rick Steele from Australia and the Holmes Brothers from the US -- prompted all races, including a great number of white expatriates, to dance.
"Promoting the blues is a full time job," said Loong, who plans to teach a course on creative thinking and music at Singapore Management University.
"Sure, we want to make money, and this year's just the start," Loong said. "But what we're really interested in is encouraging Asian artists to come out of their comfort zones and say `Wow, I've got something to say.'"
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